Shoddy Workmanship

[Chatbrat]

I just don't understand why street lights and gate arms are continually falling down

A street light fell down on 466a and a gate arm fell off by the St James gate

[Hank N Judy]

Do you think they are falling down with out help from something?

[villagetinker]

If you are talking about the street light near colony plaza, it was hit by a car, I believe they are waiting for a new pole. As for the gate arms, these seem to be a target for people in a hurry. I have personally seen 2 GC drivers go right through closed gates, taking the arms off.

[Barefoot]

Do you think they are falling down with out help from something?
:ohdear:

[Chatbrat]

Duh, never wouda thunk that--wow-you mean cars & carts in TV actually hit things

[Topspinmo]

I just don't understand why street lights and gate arms are continually falling down

A street light fell down on 466a and a gate arm fell off by the St James gate


You know there are lots of drunks coming home every night! Gates are made out of aluminum and bolted to the gate arm. The only way they fall off being hit by moving object. Light post are make out of metal and again don't just fall down. Then there the red button stealing guy that got caught? There are many reasons things get broken. I would bet alcohol involved in most instances?

[Topspinmo]

Duh, never wouda thunk that--wow-you mean cars & carts in TV actually hit things

Just cause your car breaks automatically don't mean other do.:thumbup:

[ColdNoMore]

Sometimes "shoddy workmanship".....isn't caused by outside agencies.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/so-many-faded-peeling-ugly-street-signs-201420/

[CWGUY]

Sometimes "shoddy workmanship".....isn't caused by outside agencies.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/so-many-faded-peeling-ugly-street-signs-201420/


chilout That pile was just starting to get crusty... and you had to go and poke it with a stick. :mmmm:

[graciegirl]

Sometimes "shoddy workmanship".....isn't caused by outside agencies.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/so-many-faded-peeling-ugly-street-signs-201420/

Replacement of road and street signs are the responsibility of Sumter County, not the CDD or the developer. Here is the telephone number.

Road & Bridge Department | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/217/Road-Bridge)

[Bogie Shooter]

chilout That pile was just starting to get crusty... and you had to go and poke it with a stick. :mmmm:

:a20::a20:

[karostay]

If you are talking about the street light near colony plaza, it was hit by a car, I believe they are waiting for a new pole. As for the gate arms, these seem to be a target for people in a hurry. I have personally seen 2 GC drivers go right through closed gates, taking the arms off.
:bigbow:They should replace the arms with a used railroad track.
Then they'll think twice or even 3 times before trying to beat the gate.Think of the cost savings to the Villages
Body shops will prosper from the ones that try

[Topspinmo]

Gates should open up automatically anyway after 3 or four second delay. Not gated community and besides all you got to do push the red button, if the red button thief hasn't stolen it. But, drunks would probably still drive through them. So bottom line nothing shoddy just another whinner.

[dbussone]

Gates should open up automatically anyway after 3 or four second delay. Not gated community and besides all you got to do push the red button, if the red button thief hasn't stolen it. But, drunks would probably still drive through them. So bottom line nothing shoddy just another whinner.



Police believe they caught the red button thief a couple of days ago. The drunks, not so much.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ColdNoMore]

chilout That pile was just starting to get crusty... and you had to go and poke it with a stick. :mmmm:

Simply stating facts, that the OP may have not seen. :ohdear:

Since the thread is closed (and in which I stated very clearly that I didn't know who was actually responsible for the signs)...I hardly see how it is a 'pile.' :oops:

[Retiring]

Replacement of road and street signs are the responsibility of Sumter County, not the CDD or the developer. Here is the telephone number.

Road & Bridge Department | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/217/Road-Bridge)

City or County bureaucracy can be very frustrating. About 10 yrs ago, in Queens NY, the street name sign on the corner fell. It�s a fairly large sign, about 3 or 4ft x 10in. The sign was in perfect, almost new, condition. I think that pole had been replaced less than a year prior. After an hour on the phone, being transferred what felt like 30 or 40 times, I finally reached the right person. I told them the sign was in my garage and just let me know when the crew is coming out. I was informed I could keep the sign. They cannot put up �old� signs. They wait till they have a large order, usually 1-2 years, put it out for bid and go from there. I said the sign is like new, doesn�t matter. About 4 yrs later, the sign was replaced. The sign went from my garage to the garbage. Local government, I guess federal too, can be so exasperating.

[bbbbbb]

You know there are lots of drunks coming home every night! Gates are made out of aluminum and bolted to the gate arm. The only way they fall off being hit by moving object. Light post are make out of metal and again don't just fall down. Then there the red button stealing guy that got caught? There are many reasons things get broken. I would bet alcohol involved in most instances?
Hi, we are with you, the Villages is a nice place but the emphasis on drinking is over the top.. Happy hour is the big thing, lots of drinking and those folks, many of them do need to drive home. So it is a problem but the money talks, that is important, bring in and spend the money on booze. Lots of boozers here, you have to stay home to get away from them. We have had two cases where we had to leave our food and go,a lot of obnoxious drinkers who cannot control their vocal chords. Bet we will hear back on this one, do not expose the way of life, happy hours, happy hour, drink up and then drive.

:ohdear:

[rubicon]

You know my friend owns a blue car and so what he sees on the road all the time... lots of blue cars. so much so that he told me blue is the most popular color for cars. Yet the facts are that better than 50% of all cars are white.

What we can speculate on is that some of the damage done to gates is because of drinking but not all. We can say that some of the damage is done because drivers attempt to squeeze past the gate before it drops by following closely behind the vehicle in front of them. We can say that perhaps some damage is done because drivers are not paying attention or distracted or lack sufficient reaction time. We an say some of the damage might be done because of maladies. We might even say that perhaps some damage might be done deliberately

for me lips that touch wine will never touch mine:D

PS I like the gates

[bbbbbb]

You know my friend owns a blue car and so what he sees on the road all the time... lots of blue cars. so much so that he told me blue is the most popular color for cars. Yet the facts are that better than 50% of all cars are white.

What we can speculate on is that some of the damage done to gates is because of drinking but not all. We can say that some of the damage is done because drivers attempt to squeeze past the gate before it drops by following closely behind the vehicle in front of them. We can say that perhaps some damage is done because drivers are not paying attention or distracted or lack sufficient reaction time. We an say some of the damage might be done because of maladies. We might even say that perhaps some damage might be done deliberately

for me lips that touch wine will never touch mine:D

PS I like the gates

White cars? In 1963 I had to order a white Pontiac Catalina because it was not a standard color, this is the truth. So, after that, white became more popular. Henry Ford said on his cars long ago, you can have any color as long as it is black. For a period of time in the 60s, in Sacramento the Highway Patrol cars were all white.

:a040:

[ColdNoMore]

City or County bureaucracy can be very frustrating. About 10 yrs ago, in Queens NY, the street name sign on the corner fell. It�s a fairly large sign, about 3 or 4ft x 10in. The sign was in perfect, almost new, condition. I think that pole had been replaced less than a year prior. After an hour on the phone, being transferred what felt like 30 or 40 times, I finally reached the right person. I told them the sign was in my garage and just let me know when the crew is coming out. I was informed I could keep the sign. They cannot put up �old� signs. They wait till they have a large order, usually 1-2 years, put it out for bid and go from there. I said the sign is like new, doesn�t matter. About 4 yrs later, the sign was replaced. The sign went from my garage to the garbage. Local government, I guess federal too, can be so exasperating.

Shoulda called the guys from American Pickers.

Mighta got some money for it. :D

[Mleeja]

Hi, we are with you, the Villages is a nice place but the emphasis on drinking is over the top.. Happy hour is the big thing, lots of drinking and those folks, many of them do need to drive home. So it is a problem but the money talks, that is important, bring in and spend the money on booze. Lots of boozers here, you have to stay home to get away from them. We have had two cases where we had to leave our food and go,a lot of obnoxious drinkers who cannot control their vocal chords. Bet we will hear back on this one, do not expose the way of life, happy hours, happy hour, drink up and then drive.

:ohdear:

Let us know where you go. I think we are missing out on the party! We dine out a various Resturants and country clubs a couple of times per week. We have not ran into any cases were we had to leave because of "lot of obnoxious drinkers".

[Topspinmo]

White cars? In 1963 I had to order a white Pontiac Catalina because it was not a standard color, this is the truth. So, after that, white became more popular. Henry Ford said on his cars long ago, you can have any color as long as it is black. For a period of time in the 60s, in Sacramento the Highway Patrol cars were all white.

:a040:

I like white cars, they don't show dirt or water spots as bad. White cars I've owned 66 fairlane gt, 66 Plymouth belvedere II, 71 Chevy caprice, 79 Cadillac eldorado. Black cars I have owned 64 ford galaxie XL, 69 GTX, 57 ford custom 300. Was all the time shamming them off.

[Topspinmo]

You know my friend owns a blue car and so what he sees on the road all the time... lots of blue cars. so much so that he told me blue is the most popular color for cars. Yet the facts are that better than 50% of all cars are white.

What we can speculate on is that some of the damage done to gates is because of drinking but not all. We can say that some of the damage is done because drivers attempt to squeeze past the gate before it drops by following closely behind the vehicle in front of them. We can say that perhaps some damage is done because drivers are not paying attention or distracted or lack sufficient reaction time. We an say some of the damage might be done because of maladies. We might even say that perhaps some damage might be done deliberately

for me lips that touch wine will never touch mine:D

PS I like the gates

Every time my local gate get broke it usually late at night. I have strong feeling it's drunks coming home the majority of the time.
I like gates too, but nonsense to have to scan or push the button just have delay so vehicles have to stop few seconds so carts can pass.

If some people got to have alcohol everyday or or shot to get them going in the morning, They have drinking problem and are in denial. Which has lead to problems or will lead to problems. Some of us figured that out early in life:popcorn:

[bbbbbb]

Well the gates are aluminum or a combination of metals, but check this?
Want to beef up the gates? Make them stronger? Not a good choice!!!!!!!!!

The gates are mounted in a control housing that is containing controls and switches and wiring, lots of money there folks.
Yes, you could beef up, strengthen the gate arms and then they would take the impact, and then,,,,,,,,,,, transfer the impact forces to torque and simply destroy the very expensive housing and controls, not a good choice, a stick of gate is much cheaper to replace.

[ColdNoMore]

Why do the gates exist in the first place? :confused:

It's not like they mean anything, given that the roads are owned and maintained by the county and are therefore public roads and anyone can access them. :shrug:

While there may be some that get a feeling of (false) security, it seems to me that a lot of expense maintaining them and supplying gate guards and banks of monitors (such as in the gate building going into Tall Trees I think it is)...could be saved.

And yes, I'm ready for the onslaught of emotionally driven dissenting views. :D

[Topspinmo]

Why do the gates exist in the first place? :confused:

It's not like they mean anything, given that the roads are owned and maintained by the county and are therefore public roads and anyone can access them. :shrug:

While there may be some that get a feeling of (false) security, it seems to me that a lot of expense maintaining them and supplying gate guards and banks of monitors (such as in the gate building going into Tall Trees I think it is)...could be saved.

And yes, I'm ready for the onslaught of emotionally driven dissenting views. :D


I think there are there to give delay so carts can safely cross and give the impression of gated community. If the gates weren't there would have to have BIG speed bumps to slow some down otherwise they would be blowing through at 30 mph.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

I just don't understand why street lights and gate arms are continually falling down

A street light fell down on 466a and a gate arm fell off by the St James gate

Sarcasm seem to be a foreign concept to many of these posters. LOL Len

[biker1]

The gates are there, at least partially, to control the flow of cars where the golf carts cross. This is really a safety issue to prevent collisions between cars and golf carts.

Why do the gates exist in the first place? :confused:

It's not like they mean anything, given that the roads are owned and maintained by the county and are therefore public roads and anyone can access them. :shrug:

While there may be some that get a feeling of (false) security, it seems to me that a lot of expense maintaining them and supplying gate guards and banks of monitors (such as in the gate building going into Tall Trees I think it is)...could be saved.

And yes, I'm ready for the onslaught of emotionally driven dissenting views. :D

[ColdNoMore]

I think there are there to give delay so carts can safely cross and give the impression of gated community. If the gates weren't there would have to have BIG speed bumps to slow some down otherwise they would be blowing through at 30 mph.
The gates are there, at least partially, to control the flow of cars where the golf carts cross. This is really a safety issue to prevent collisions between cars and golf carts.

That might be the excuse given now, but originally (in doing some research and talking to those who have been here 15+ years) the developer thought that he could make this a gated community...in the true sense of the term.

That ill-conceived thought was quickly put to rest, when the county explained that since they were the ones who owned and were responsible for the roads (except the Villas)...he couldn't do that.

I will say that your point has merit as far as letting carts cross, but there are so many other locations where the carts cross in front of the gates or where no gates exist at all...I'm personally not really buying that as the primary reason they're still there. :shrug:

It's my honest opinion that the developer is continuing to try and convey some type of security (that doesn't really exist)....by leaving the gates and gate guards in place.

Just my $.02 worth. :D

[graciegirl]

That might be the excuse given now, but originally (in doing some research and talking to those who have been here 15+ years) the developer thought that he could make this a gated community...in the true sense of the term.

That ill-conceived thought was quickly put to rest, when the county explained that since they were the ones who owned and were responsible for the roads (except the Villas)...he couldn't do that.

I will say that your point has merit as far as letting carts cross, but there are so many other locations where the carts cross in front of the gates or where no gates exist at all...I'm personally not really buying that as the primary reason they're still there. :shrug:

It's my honest opinion that the developer is continuing to try and convey some type of security (that doesn't really exist)....by leaving the gates and gate guards in place.

Just my $.02 worth. :D


If you want to read a lot of different and sometimes intense and varied opinions about gates here in The Villages just type "gates" into the search feature above. There are almost as many gates threads as there are roundabout and dog poop ones.

Here is one for you to enjoy; https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/exit-gates-duh-109326/?highlight=gates

I think the gates slow the traffic enough so that golf cart traffic can safely cross the street. That is what I think.

[2BNTV]

I think that some folks are rushing to get from point A to point B and gates being broken, are the end result. I've seen several instances where someone was trying to get through, when the first driver activated the gate without activating the gate themselves.

There might be a problem when driving at night, as we all don't see as well at night, as we should.

I'm sure some might be alcohol related.

I am amazed at how many time the Southern Trace gates have been broken. It is a double gate so someone must be talented to take two gates out, at the same time.

Fortunately, things get repaired pretty fast!

[ColdNoMore]

I think that some folks are rushing to get from point A to point B and gates being broken, are the end result. I've seen several instances where someone was trying to get through, when the first driver activated the gate without activating the gate themselves.

There might be a problem when driving at night, as we all don't see as well at night, as we should.

I'm sure some might be alcohol related.

Alcohol is my guess too.

Although, seeing how some drivers still can't figure out how to navigate the roundabouts, or get totally flustered with them...it might also be caused by those who maybe shouldn't be driving because of their age or loss of skill.





I am amazed at how many time the Southern Trace gates have been broken. It is a double gate so someone must be talented to take two gates out, at the same time.

Fortunately, things get repaired pretty fast!

I've noticed the same thing at some of the other gates also.

One of the things I think would help, is that if every gate had enough room at the end of it to allow a golf cart to go around without stopping to flash a card/hit the little red button.

Some of the gates are set up that way and it's been my personal observation that traffic moves smoother in those locations. :shrug:

[graciegirl]

I think the gates are fine.

[Barefoot]

One of the things I think would help, is that if every gate had enough room at the end of it to allow a golf cart to go around without stopping to flash a card/hit the little red button.
Some of the gates are set up that way and it's been my personal observation that traffic moves smoother in those locations.
A year or two ago, the Belvedere Gate was changed from free access for golf carts to a system where each cart must stop to scan a card or hit the button. So it seems that The Villages is moving in the other direction.

[Mikeod]

Some of the gates are set up that way and it's been my personal observation that traffic moves smoother in those locations. :shrug:
Many gates used to be set up just that way, but they were in violation of federal law. There used to be room for carts to drive by the end of the gate arm. But the arms had to be extended. Now, only bikes can squeeze by. I think they cut off the damaged end and reattach the arm, so some are shorter than others, but still prevent carts from passing through.

[ColdNoMore]

Many gates used to be set up just that way, but they were in violation of federal law. There used to be room for carts to drive by the end of the gate arm. But the arms had to be extended. Now, only bikes can squeeze by. I think they cut off the damaged end and reattach the arm, so some are shorter than others, but still prevent carts from passing through.

What 'federal law' dictates how long a gate to a public road has to be?

[Mikeod]

What 'federal law' dictates how long a gate to a public road has to be?
Sorry, law was not the proper word. Regulation would be better.

However, the Federal Highway Administration has the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that spells out requirements for signs, markings, and other things used to control traffic flow, including gates. Years ago, there was a question about a gate and guardhouse installed at the entrance to a single family subdivision. It was referred to the FHA who deemed the gate should be consistent with MUTCD, which specifies that the gate arm must extend across the lane sufficient to not allow traffic to pass by the end of the arm. Florida DOT adopted the MUCTD. As a result, the gate arms had to extend far enough that vehicular traffic, which includes golf carts, could not pass by the end of the arm.

[ColdNoMore]

Sorry, law was not the proper word. Regulation would be better.

However, the Federal Highway Administration has the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that spells out requirements for signs, markings, and other things used to control traffic flow, including gates. Years ago, there was a question about a gate and guardhouse installed at the entrance to a single family subdivision. It was referred to the FHA who deemed the gate should be consistent with MUTCD, which specifies that the gate arm must extend across the lane sufficient to not allow traffic to pass by the end of the arm. Florida DOT adopted the MUCTD. As a result, the gate arms had to extend far enough that vehicular traffic, which includes golf carts, could not pass by the end of the arm.
Do you by any chance have a link/article on where/when this happened?

Due to my former life, I am pretty familiar (albeit, not an 'expert'...which I'm not sure anyone could memorize all of it) with MUTCD.

To the best of my recollection, nowhere does it state that their regulations apply to gates going into public housing areas.

They cover the gate requirements for at-grade RR crossings, movable bridges, toll areas, Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFAD's), Etc........but obviously someone here took it upon themselves to try and include the reg's to cover what exists in TV.

I still say that leaving enough room at the end of the gate for carts would be a big help and I seriously doubt that FDOT (which doesn't cover county roads anyway).....would have a problem with such. :shrug:

[Mikeod]

I have attached a link to correspondence between the City of Tampa and FHA regarding whether a guardhouse and gate into a subdivision qualifies as a traffic control device and is subject to MUTCD. It agrees with your statement that the regulations specifically apply to railroad crossings and the like, but interprets the regulation to apply to this case.

Interpretation Letter 8-66(I) - Resources - FHWA MUTCD (http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interpretations/8_66.htm)

From the FHA MUTCD site:
Q: Does the MUTCD apply to all roads and streets in the United States? A: Yes. In Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655.603 states that the MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel.


From the Florida DOT site:

To comply with this statute, the Department has adopted the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)


From the AAC minutes of the May 12, 2010 meeting:

In regards to the entry gates
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTC
D) effective January 2011 will be adopted by
Sumter County and the Town of Lady Lake. Staff has
not been able to receive confirmation from
Marion County at this time. The MUTCD states that
a gate arm shall completely block a lane of traffic
except for a 24 inch opening for pedestrians; howev
er, in some instances the pedestrian opening may
increase to 36 inches. The District will comply wi
th the MUTCD which will require all vehicles,
inclusive of bicyclists, motorcycles and golf carts
, to stop at the gates to utilize their gate card o
r the
push button. Mr. Wartinbee advised the MUTCD also
requires alternating 16 inches of red and 16
inches of white tape on the gate arms which Staff w
ill apply manually.

If you need more, I suggest Google. I'm done.

[ColdNoMore]

If you need more, I suggest Google. I'm done.


Nahh, your statement below is good enough for me.

Someone simply chose to interpret/apply the regulation to neighborhoods such as TV....not that it legally applies.


I have attached a link to correspondence between the City of Tampa and FHA regarding whether a guardhouse and gate into a subdivision qualifies as a traffic control device and is subject to MUTCD.

It agrees with your statement that the regulations specifically apply to railroad crossings and the like, but interprets the regulation to apply to this case.

[graciegirl]

Excellent. Now that's better.

[ColdNoMore]

Let me offer my appreciation too Mikeod.

Very few of us make the effort to do the research when questioned on something we said and even less have the ethics, integrity and honesty to post links that contradicts what we originally stated.

Your willingness to do both, tells me that you're probably a pretty straight shooter and whether we agree or not...you have my admiration for that. :thumbup:

I also understand how a locality, who's not actually under the jurisdiction of MUTCD, would choose to adopt some of their guidelines.

And although TV has not chosen to abide by all of the guidelines of MUTCD (specifically in regards to striping/signage of our MMP's)...that is a subject that could support at least a couple of threads on its own.

So anyway, once again, I do appreciate your honesty, work and ethics/integrity. :ho:

[spring_chicken]

There are some who want to blame alcohol on everything bad that happens in TV. Unfortunately, if they did a bit of research, they would find that alcohol was NOT involved in the majority of accidents (car or golf cart) in TV. But that wouldn't fit their agenda.

[graciegirl]

There are some who want to blame alcohol on everything bad that happens in TV. Unfortunately, if they did a bit of research, they would find that alcohol was NOT involved in the majority of accidents (car or golf cart) in TV. But that wouldn't fit their agenda.

Naw. I blame age. All those Boomers Booming around.:D:thumbup::highfive:

[2BNTV]

I tend to think it is a combination of things.

One other reason would be some people not familiar with the road they are on and get confused. I know I had to jam on the brakes at night, as I never saw the gate at Boone Ct . Fortunately, I stopped in time.

To blame alcohol as the only reason, is showing a bias for those, that do drink.

As we get older, some people are less sure of themselves, when operating a vehicle. Driving at night in TV is a lot different, than during the day.

BTW - I have never damaged a gate.